Pompeo: US Open To Long-term Deal That Keeps Kim Jong Un In Power

The United States is prepared to ensure North Korean leader Kim Jong Un remains in power should the dictator make a historic nuclear deal with President Trump, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Asked whether the US would also offer guarantees that Kim would stay in power, Pompeo said there would “assurances,” but he did not elaborate.

“(Kim) appreciates the fact that this will have to be different and big and special and something that has never been undertaken before,” Pompeo said. “If we’re going to get to this historic outcome both sides have to be prepared to take truly historic measures to achieve it.”

He added: “It is our fervent hope that Chairman Kim wants to make a strategic change … and if he’s prepared to do that then President Trump is prepared to assure that this could be a successful transition.”